Chapter 681 Did Jiao Shi secretly have another child without telling them?

Chapter 681: Did Jiao Shi secretly give birth to another child without telling them?

Jiao Shi was deeply moved.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao immediately expressed her wish to visit Yu Mingzhu.

Jiao Shi instinctively glanced at the Dowager Duchess of Xin.

The Dowager Duchess's eyes, however, held a warning.

Clearly, she was warning Jiao Shi to promptly clarify Yu Mingzhu's true origins with her family.

Jiao Shi slightly averted the Dowager Duchess's warning gaze and forced a smile: "It's nothing serious. She’s just a child—not seriously ill, just a bit frail. I kept her away so she wouldn’t pass anything to Mother. If Third Sister-in-law wants to see her, I’ll send Zhu Zhu over later."

Upon hearing this, Third Sister-in-law Jiao realized Yu Mingzhu’s condition wasn’t severe and smiled, scolding lightly: "If Mingzhu isn’t feeling well, let her rest properly. I’ll tag along when you visit her."

Seeing Jiao Shi still evading the issue and unwilling to disclose Yu Mingzhu’s true background to her family, the Dowager Duchess fumed, thinking Jiao Shi had lost all sense lately!

If not for the Dowager Duchess’s consideration to save face for Jiao Shi in front of her family, she would have blurted out that Yu Mingzhu was not Jiao Shi’s biological daughter right then and there!

After the pleasantries, Third Sister-in-law Jiao, feeling somewhat thirsty, picked up her teacup to drink. Only then did she notice a rosy-cheeked little girl sitting in a chair slightly below the Dowager Duchess’s right side. She jolted, sloshing tea and nearly burning herself.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao gasped: "Who is this?"

She instinctively looked at Jiao Shi.

Had Third Sister-in-law Jiao not known that Jiao Shi only had Yu Mingzhu as her daughter, she would have thought Jiao Shi had secretly given birth to another child without telling them!

They looked nearly identical!

Jiao Shi bit her lower lip, her face pale.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao quickly composed herself and apologized to the Dowager Duchess: "My apologies, Dowager Duchess, please forgive my rudeness. It’s just that..."

Hand on her chest, she gaped at Xingxing.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao was baffled about the identity of this bright-eyed, fair-skinned little girl, who looked eerily like Jiao Shi in her younger years.

—In truth, over the past year, Xingxing had grown into her features considerably and no longer resembled Jiao Shi’s childhood appearance as closely.

Yet, they still looked alarmingly alike.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao tiptoed around the question: "...I didn’t look closely when I first entered, but just now, when I happened to see this young lady’s face, I noticed she looks a bit like our Yuan Jieer. May I ask who this young lady is...?"

Third Sister-in-law Jiao danced around it, avoiding direct mention of Xingxing’s resemblance to Jiao Shi in her youth.

But nieces often resemble their aunts, and Yuan Jieer from the fifth branch was the one who looked most like Jiao Shi as a child, hence she was the most beloved by the elders.

By saying Xingxing resembled Yuan Jieer, Third Sister-in-law Jiao was hinting that Xingxing also resembled Jiao Shi in her youth.

The Dowager Duchess smirked knowingly and introduced: "...This is Princess Fusui, given her title by His Majesty himself."

Third Sister-in-law Jiao hurriedly bowed to Xingxing: "So it’s the Princess. Your Highness."

Xingxing stood up: "No need for formalities, Third Madam."

The more Third Sister-in-law Jiao looked at Xingxing, the more she saw young Jiao Shi in her. She knew Jiao Shi had often visited the Duke of Xinguo’s residence in her youth, childhood friends with the heir apparent of the Duke of Xinguo. The Dowager Duchess had seen Jiao Shi grow up.

Third Sister-in-law Jiao shot a questioning look at the Dowager Duchess, trying to read her face for answers.

Just a coincidence, or...?

Yet, the Dowager Duchess of Xin began to sip her tea with lowered eyes, calm and collected, completely ignoring the situation.

Aunt Jiao (Third) was out of options.

After all, the person opposite was an imperial princess. Though she had a third-rank noble title herself, she was still required to pay respects to a princess.

She couldn't just come out and ask the princess, "What is your relation to my sister-in-law?"

Was she crazy?

Aunt Jiao (Third) fidgeted impatiently, fighting her burning curiosity. Finally, after taking her leave from the Dowager Duchess and exiting the main courtyard with Jiao Shi—

She immediately sought a secluded spot, motioning for her servants to keep their distance, and grasped Jiao Shi’s hand: "Sister-in-law, tell me honestly—what's the story with Princess Fusui?"

Jiao Shi kept dodging the truth, as if denying it could make Xingxing not her real daughter, and she could continue doting on Zhu Zhu without guilt.

Jiao Shi evaded the question: "What do you mean? Are you asking why Princess Fusui is here? She's a skilled physician checking my mother-in-law's health."

Aunt Jiao pressed: "No, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying—"

She lowered her voice, "...why does she look so much like you when you were young?"

Jiao Shi shuddered.

Her fake smile disappeared: "...Does she?"

Aunt Jiao (Third) nodded firmly: "Yes! Extremely so!"

She whispered even softer, "A-Tong, be honest with me—is she... did you have a secret child?"

She said it half-jokingly, as she had noticed Jiao Shi’s unease and hoped to lighten the mood.

But to her surprise, Jiao Shi only grew tenser, her body stiffening.

Seeing this, Aunt Jiao (Third)’s smile froze, and she gasped in disbelief: "Wait—A-Tong, you?!"

Her shock made her voice rise uncontrollably.

Jiao Shi panicked, and she hastily tugged at Aunt Jiao (Third)’s sleeve: "Quiet, quiet! It’s nothing like that!"

She took a deep breath, overwhelmed by the complicated situation, and sighed: "...Anyway, it’s not what you think. Let me figure out how to explain."

Aunt Jiao (Third)’s heart sank further, realizing this was serious.

Glancing around, she realized this wasn’t the place for such a conversation: "Let’s go. We’ll talk back at your place."

When they arrived at Jiao Shi’s courtyard, Yu Mingzhu was already waiting inside.

Though still unsettled, Aunt Jiao (Third) couldn’t help but smile warmly at the sight of her: "Mingzhu, you’re here too."

Yu Mingzhu wore a jade-colored dress that shimmered like moonlight, her skin fair as snow and smooth as jade, exuding delicate grace.

She stepped forward and bowed: "Third Aunt, I didn't want to risk making Grandmother ill and couldn’t greet you earlier. My apologies."

Seeing her graceful niece, Aunt Jiao (Third) beamed.

She took Yu Mingzhu’s hands and teased gently: "As if I'd be upset about that!"

Aunt Jiao looked Yu Mingzhu up and down, liking her more the longer she looked: "...Ah, it's been over a year since we last met, and our Mingzhu has grown into such a fine young woman—more beautiful than ever."

As she spoke, Aunt Jiao casually slipped off the jade bracelet from her wrist and slid it onto Yu Mingzhu's wrist.

"Perfect. I always thought the color was too youthful for me, but it suits our Mingzhu just right." Aunt Jiao smiled warmly, clearly adoring Yu Mingzhu from the bottom of her heart.

Yu Mingzhu wore an expression of flustered gratitude, her eyes reddening as if deeply moved: "Auntie, you're so kind to me..."

Aunt Jiao quickly pulled Yu Mingzhu into her arms, exclaiming, "Oh my dear Mingzhu, what's wrong? Did something upset you? I just gave you a bracelet—why are you so touched?"

She teased, "If you knew I brought several carts of gifts from your grandmother and other aunts, wouldn’t you start crying right then and there, crying your eyes out?"

Yu Mingzhu gave a teary laugh: "Grandmother... Auntie, you... you're all too good to me."

Jiao Shi watched from the side as her sister-in-law coddled Yu Mingzhu, her headache growing worse by the minute.

Aunt Jiao chuckled again: "This time when I came to the capital, I brought your cousin Yu Lou along. His mentor happened to be giving lectures in the capital, so he’s currently accompanying him and your father in the front courtyard discussing official matters. Once they’re done, I’ll have Yu Lou come see you. And stop crying—if your eyes swell up, your cousin, who dotes on you so much, will be heartbroken. Folks might even think I was mean to our Mingzhu!"

Yu Mingzhu’s heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be shy, wiping her eyes and murmuring shyly, "Auntie, you’re teasing me."

With Yu Mingzhu now cheered up, she personally brewed tea for both Jiao Shi and Aunt Jiao, making for a perfectly harmonious family scene.

Jiao Shi watched silently, her feelings mixed. No matter how much she hesitated, she couldn’t bring herself to reveal that Yu Mingzhu wasn’t her biological daughter.

...

"...Dude, stop looking around. My sister really isn’t home."

Ju Geer rolled his eyes impatiently at Wei Zihang.

Wei Zihang didn't bat an eye: "Who said I was looking for Xingxing? Can’t I just check out the view outside the pavilion?"

Ju Geer snorted: "Sure, of course you can. Then admire it properly."

He yawned, casually placing a white piece on the board before calling a servant to bring some snacks.

With the Lantern Festival not yet over and school still closed, Ju Geer and the others had already finished their homework under their elder brothers’ supervision, leaving them all the time in the world.

Like now, when Wei Zihang had dragged him to the warm pavilion for a game of chess.

Yeah right, like he didn’t know what this guy was really after!

Too bad for him—his sister wasn’t even home today!

After two rounds, Wei Zihang, distracted, was utterly crushed by Ju Geer’s white pieces, which wiped the floor with him, leaving him in shambles.

Finally, Ju Geer tossed the chess pieces aside: "Boring. I’m not playing anymore. Feels like I’m playing against an idiot. Winning like this is no fun at all!"

"Hey, I’m just off my game—" Before Wei Zihang could finish his excuse, he spotted Xingxing and Song Shouqing approaching through the arched gate.

The "off my game" Wei Zihang immediately sprang up and dashed out.

Ju Geer snickered as he watched the guy make a beeline for his sister faster than a rabbit.

I treat you like a brother, and all you want is to be my brother-in-law?!

Over my dead body!

Ju Geer immediately chased after him.

Xingxing and Song Shouqing were chatting about Miao Miao.

"...She seems to recognize people now. When I went over, the little girl was blowing bubbles at me. Cousin Yue Yi said she might have recognized me."

Xingxing nodded repeatedly, grinning from ear to ear: "Yes, yes! Miao Miao blowing bubbles is so adorable! She loves showing off her bubble-blowing for me too!"

The two were happily discussing Miao Miao when Wei Zihang came running over, out of breath: "Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness..."

Xingxing was startled. Seeing Wei Zihang gasping for breath, she couldn't help but ask, "Wei Zihang, do you need something?"

Wei Zihang coughed, glanced at Song Shouqing, then straightened up: "...Nothing. I just saw you coming and wanted to say hello."

Song Shouqing remarked coolly from the side: "One moment 'Princess,' the next 'Xingxing'—can't tell if Wei Zihang is being polite or not."

Wei Zihang immediately put his hands on his hips: "I'll call her what I want! Given how close Xingxing and I are—"

He had meant to say, "With my relationship with Xingxing, what can't I call her?" But before he could finish, Ju Geer had already came charging over, giving him the stink eye.

Wei Zihang backpedaled fast: "With my relationship with Xingxing's fifth brother, what I call her, Xingxing won't blame me for being rude, right?"

As he spoke, he threw a smug look at Song Shouqing.

Song Shouqing scoffed. Though he said nothing more, his attitude was perfectly conveyed in that single sound.

Wei Zihang immediately raised an eyebrow.

You could cut the tension with a knife.

Ju Geer ignored both Song Shouqing and Wei Zihang. He asked Xingxing, "Did you eat already?"

Xingxing replied, "I ate a little at lunch. Now that you mention it, I'm feeling a bit hungry again."

Ju Geer grinned: "Speaking of which, that Su-Yang restaurant from last time was pretty good. I had their crab roe soup dumplings once and have been dying to have them again. Wanna grab a bite together?"

Xingxing agreed eagerly: "Sounds great!"

Ju Geer then looked at Wei Zihang and Song Shouqing.

Naturally, he hoped they'd get the message and not insist on tagging along with him and his sister.

However, one had the nerve to say he was hungry too, while the other—just as shameless but playing it cool—claimed that as a native of Su-Yang, he missed the taste of home.

...So both were determined to come along.

Ju Geer rolled his eyes so hard they might get stuck.

Song Shouqing promptly asked Xingxing, "Xingxing, you cool with me tagging along?"

Xingxing replied, "Not at all. Since Eldest Sister-in-law is still in her postpartum recovery period, and you're here to see Miao Miao, of course I should be a good host."

Song Shouqing gave Wei Zihang a meaningful look.

Not one to be shown up, Wei Zihang quickly followed up: "Xingxing, you cool with me tagging along?"

Xingxing said, "Not at all. Wei Zihang is Ju Geer's friend, after all."

Wei Zihang shot an even more triumphant glance at Song Shouqing.

You could see the sparks flying between them.

Ju Geer rolled his eyes again and said directly to Xingxing, "Xingxing, let's go. Ignore them. Those two morons."

He seriously questioned his choice in friends—why were they all trying to make moves on his baby sister?!